One-off release clause triggers Manchester City and Manchester United summer transfer battle for Bundesliga star

Manchester City and Manchester United have both been alerted by a one-off release clause in the contract of Bayer Leverkusen star full-back Jeremie Frimpong.

Pep Guardiola could address the long-term future of Kyle Walker at the Etihad Stadium this summer, despite the 33-year-old signing a surprise two-year contract extension with Manchester City in September, keeping the Englishman at the club until 2026.

The right-back is currently facing a period the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during England international duty, forcing the defender to miss Manchester City’s goalless draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

City are expected to strengthen in a number of areas during the summer transfer window ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, and could reportedly be tempted to secure a new right-back for the long-term.

Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong has emerged as a summer transfer target of the Sky Blues, with Manchester City interested in bringing the Dutch international back to east Manchester, with the full-back a product of the City Football Academy.

The 23-year-old left the Premier League champions for Celtic prior to moving to the German top-flight, where Frimpong looks set to win the Bundesliga title, after Leverkusen moved 13 points clear of Bayern Munich.

The right-back has been directly involved in 16 goals in 25 Bundesliga appearances so far this season, and has also scored twice in the UEFA Europa League.

The Sun claim that a one-off £35 million release clause active this summer has alerted local Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United to Frimpong, with the defender contracted in Germany until 2028.

City reportedly consider the Dutch international as a ‘long-term successor’ to Walker, but face competition from a United side set to undergo major changes this summer following the Sir Jim Ratcliffe takeover.

Frimpong’s previous links to the City Football Academy would allow the Blues to register the defender as both home-grown and academy-trained, making a summer move even more lucrative to Etihad bosses.

The 23-year-old is the second Leverkusen star to be subject to interest from Manchester City, with Guardiola’s side previously linked with forward Florian Wirtz.

The German international was targeted last summer by the treble-winners, who consider the 20-year-old as an eventual replacement to Kevin De Bruyne.